In one corner we've got a YHM tube, the cheaper of the two, a half ounce lighter, $60 bucks cheaper, but requires the removal of the front sight post.  Something I'm not entirely comfortable doing.



In the other corner we've got the midwest industries tube,  a slightly more premium option, able to be installed without removing the sight post, appears to be the same hight as the receiver unlike the competition (I theenk) but I've never heard of their product before.



I'm leaning towards the MI but I thought I'd tap the hivemind before breaking out the piggy bank.

Oh yeah, and there's this option as well...Not nearly as cool as the other options but a hell of a lot cheaper, lighter, and it's not like I was going to stick lights, lasers, or a bipod on the carbine in question anyway...Well, maybe a light but I'd need to kill off a few more braincells before I think dropping several hundred bucks on a flashlight is a great idea, but not impossible.

Plus

I like # 1

I say go with the MI, but taking off the FSB is not all that hard unless you got a 14.5 with a perm. FH.

Have two MI free floats and really like 'em.  Simple install and I like to monolithic look...like the FF tube is part of the rest of the receiver....

I have a YHM and really like it. But never played with a MI

I have used 4 or 5 of the YHM LW and never had a problem.  I have never used MI; only becasue I have not yet.

I own both, and would take the MI hands down. Easier to install, and most importantly the rails are the right size.

In the picture of the MI it looks like it is attached at the front as well. I thought free float meant it was only attached at the receiver to keep pressure off the barrel. Can someone shed some light?

It's not attached at the front, it just looks that way because you can keep the handguard cap or whatever it's called on there.

There are 2 piece MI drop in handguards that looks similar, but you keep the delta ring. Hope it makes sense, drop me an IM if you have more questions.

Quoted: It's not attached at the front, it just looks that way because you can keep the handguard cap or whatever it's called on there. There are 2 piece MI drop in handguards that looks similar, but you keep the delta ring. Hope it makes sense, drop me an IM if you have more questions.

+1.  There is a very slight gap between the tube and the handguard cap, but there is a gap...thus free float.

MI's are well designed...

Perfect Since. Thanks

The MI clamps on the barrel nut, and thats it?

thats it!
easy install, very happy with mine.

MI.
The tube only attaches around the barrel nut.  The front bracket only locks the two pieces together.

Quoted: Either one requires some dis-assembly. You have to remove the delta ring to install the MI or the complete barrel nut for the YHM. Some people suggest cutting off the delta ring and then yanking off the weld spring and clip. That's kinda barbaric in my book and dremel tools in close proximity to the receiver are just calling on Murphy to intervene. I remove the barrel from the upper when I install an MI/Troy/Samson type handguard. Removing the front sight base is not particularly hard, just need a 1/4" punch, 1/8" punch, hammer and solid workbench. The MI rails will be closer to the spec than the YHM rails, but this is only a concern with TD vertical foregrips. About anything else will work on both of them.

I thought YHM addressed their rail height problem over a year ago?

Quoted: I have a YHM and really like it. But never played with a MI

+1